update news: Bomb squad finds explosive device, weapons in Newton home Newton - A Newton homeowner is facing a slew of charges after the State Police Bomb Squad evacuated his neighborhood Monday evening when an explosive device, various weapons and a cabinet full of chemicals were found in his home. Stephen Wong, 56, of 21 Talbot St., was arrested after he turned over an inventory of weapons to police just before 6 p.m., said Lt. Bruce Apotheker. When police arrived, Wong directed them to a bedroom on the second floor of his home and allowed officers to remove two unsecured loaded guns from a closet. Officers also found several dangerous weapons in plain view inside the closet, including knives, throwing stars and blowguns. When police uncovered a device they believed was explosive the house was immediately cleared of all officers and the state’s Bomb Squad was called. The neighborhood was evacuated and cordoned off, police said. According to reports, Newton Police were at the house earlier in the day for a related but non-criminal incident. Apotheker declined to provide any further information about the earlier incident. Wong was arrested once the area was secured and charged with possession of a firearm without a firearm identification card, possession of a firearm silencer, possession of an infernal machine, unlawful possession of fireworks, improper possession of ammunition and a weapon storage security violation. An infernal machine, said Apotheker, includes any device used to cause damage by fire or explosion. “This is a very serious offense,” said Apotheker. Apotheker said additional charges could be forthcoming after the state’s Haz-Mat team returned to the residence yesterday morning and found a make-shift science lab inside a gun cabinet. “The observed various glass and plastic containers with various labels on them,” said Apotheker, Mercury, sulfur flour, nickel chloride, potassium chloride and calcium chloride were among other chemicals recovered by the Haz-Mat team, said Apotheker. Also, eight devices that spray harmful gases and are used to kill rodents were recovered, he said. Apotheker did not have any information as to what happens when the chemicals or devices are mixed. Wong was likely arraigned in Newton District Court yesterday morning, but as of press time, that information could not be confirmed. | 
